2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Mazda CX-5

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive exterior design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky build and sharp edges gave it a futuristic and robust appearance, with taillights reminiscent of Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. The RAV4's design included a character line on the rear C-pillar, which was a common trait among new vehicles, though not always visually appealing. The RAV4 offered a variety of colour options, including two-tone schemes that featured a contrasting roof, adding to its distinctive look. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was surprisingly simple and elegant, with a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod.

In contrast, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 aimed to deliver a premium experience, with captivating style and continual product improvements. The CX-5 featured more standard equipment, revised instrumentation, and modifications to reduce noise and vibration. Its turbocharged engine offered increased torque, and AWD models gained an off-road traction assistance feature. The CX-5's design, rooted in Mazda's "Kodo" styling themes, remained appealing and upscale. Inside, the CX-5 Signature trim boasted premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood, and a black headliner, creating a luxurious atmosphere. However, the Caturra Brown leather was almost indistinguishable from the black cabin, reducing contrast.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered both FWD and AWD options, with the latter available in two versions: a base AWD and a more advanced torque-vectoring AWD. The RAV4's engine provided decent highway acceleration but struggled with low-end power, making it feel sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. The ride quality was generally good, though the steering felt twitchy, and there was noticeable body roll. The RAV4's fuel efficiency was commendable, with the AWD model achieving a combined consumption of 8.0 L/100 km.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivering 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged version, available in GT Turbo and Signature trims, offered up to 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque with premium fuel. The CX-5's turbocharged engine provided strong acceleration, but its fuel efficiency was lower, averaging 10.6 L/100 km. The CX-5 featured G-Vectoring Control Plus technology, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, excessive body motions and a high centre of gravity affected its handling, making it less thrilling than other Mazdas.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was designed for practicality and comfort, with spacious seating and ample cargo space. The centre stack pod housed climate controls, a large tray, drive-mode controls, and a shifter. The RAV4 offered 1,064 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,976 litres when folded. It featured deep centre-console trays and bins for storage, along with a fold-out rear armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 focused on an upscale cabin with a generous list of standard equipment. Despite its stylish interior, the CX-5 was more cramped than competitors like the RAV4. The CX-5 offered 875 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expanding to 1,687 litres with the seats folded. The Signature trim added luxury touches like Nappa leather and genuine wood trim. However, rear legroom was limited, and the air conditioning took time to cool the cabin on hot days.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Trail and Limited trims offered larger screens and optional premium audio. The system's layout was user-friendly, with hard dials for major functions.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5's Mazda Connect infotainment system aimed for an upscale impression but required acclimation. It featured a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The GT trim added SiriusXM, a Bose sound system, and navigation, while the Signature trim included a surround-view camera. Interaction options included the touchscreen, centre console controls, and voice recognition, though the latter was not ideal.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which offered forward-collision warning, emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard.

The 2020 Mazda CX-5 excelled in safety, with standard ADAS features like smart city brake support, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. The CX-5 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.